Jack Grealish will be under the spotlight as Aston Villa return to the scene of their most important game in recent history.
Grealish, who scored the goal at West Ham that kept Villa up on the final day of last season, is expected to keep the captain’s armband for Monday’s return trip to The London Stadium despite pleading guilty last week to separate charges of careless driving and driving without due care.
He will be sentenced on December 15 and been warned he could face a driving ban.
Smith wouldn’t answer questions on his star player on Saturday but facing West Ham again brings back happy memories of an emotional day in July when Villa drew 1-1 to finish a point outside the relegation zone.